Taking care of a fevered child: Are you making a mistake?

A fever is a familiar situation, often seen in the first years of life. However, not all mothers understand and know how to properly handle this situation. Do you know how to reduce fever properly or are you still making mistakes? Find out right away the following article!

content

1 / Not all children with fever are dangerous

2 / Measure the temperature in the anus the most accurate

3 / Fever is the body's defense response

4 / Give the child antipyretic medication too soon

5 / Cold compresses to cool down?

Not really understanding fever as well as how to properly reduce fever for children is a common mistake of many mothers when taking care of children with fever. Are you making this mistake? Are you sure you already know everything about children's fevers? Find out immediately the information below to get the answer for me, mom!

Taking care of a fevered child: Are you making a mistake?

Are you sure you have completely understood the child's fever?

1 / Not all children with fever are dangerous

Children, especially infants with unstable body temperature, are susceptible to many factors such as exercise, warm baths or clothes ... Moreover, their body temperature tends to increase in the afternoon. dark and low early in the morning. Instead of focusing on body temperature, mothers should pay attention to many other symptoms of the baby. If the child is cold, bleeding, convulsive, difficult to breathe ... the mother should promptly take the child to the doctor.

 

2 / Measure the temperature in the anus the most accurate

Measuring temperature with a thermometer will give the most accurate results, no matter where you measure it? In fact, mothers can measure the baby's temperature in the armpits and ears, but the most accurate position is still the anus. For infants under 3 months old, experts still recommend measuring the thermometer in the anus. The measured temperature in other locations may vary between 1-2 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Taking care of a fevered child: Are you making a mistake?

How to measure a baby's temperature correctly It sounds simple, but in fact, many mothers still do not know how to measure the child's temperature, especially the best baby. Where is the best place to measure the child's temperature? What is the normal temperature? Refer to the following article for the most accurate answer, mom!

 

 

3 / Fever is the body's defense response

Not a disease, fever is the body's response to the onset of bacteria and viruses, and is seen as a sign of well-being. So, mothers do not need to worry too much if the baby's body warms slightly.

4 / Give the child antipyretic medication too soon

Children with a fever can have many causes, and antipyretics are not the perfect treatment for all cases. As soon as the mother finds out that the child has a fever, the mother should find a way to cool down the child by dressing the child in cool clothes, using a warm towel to wipe the body. At the same time encourage your child to drink more water. Antipyretic drugs should only be used when the child has a constant high fever, above 39 degrees and there is no sign of hypothermia. Note: Mother should carefully review the instructions for use to know the exact dosage as well as choose the right medicine suitable for the child's age.

- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol): The drug can be used for children under 3 months old. The dosage depends on the child's weight. For each kg of weight equivalent to about 15 - 20 mg.

- Ibuprofen: Used for children from 6 months old. Dosage also depends on the child's weight, equivalent to 5-10 mg / kg.

- Aspirin: Not used for the purpose of reducing fever in children under 21 months of age.

Among the antipyretic drugs for children, Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) is considered to be the safest, with the least side effects. Antipyretic drugs containing Ibuprofen easily cause negative reactions to the digestive system, while drugs with aspirin ingredients can affect the brain. Absolutely not arbitrarily using combination drugs.

 

 

 

 

5 / Cold compresses to cool down?

Using a cold washcloth or ice pack to compress your baby's fever is a way to reduce fever that many mothers apply. However, according to the World Health Organization, this not only does not help reduce fever but also leads to many harms to children's health.

Many studies show that cold compresses are only really effective in cases of heatstroke. Cold compresses in cases where a child has a fever caused by an infection not only does not work to cool down, but only makes the baby more uncomfortable. In addition, children with pneumonia when they are treated with cold compresses will make their condition worse. Ice packs are also banned, as they can cause cold burns, leading to respiratory distress.

Leave a Comment

How to Dress a Baby for Sleep Without Guessing the Room Temperature

How to Dress a Baby for Sleep Without Guessing the Room Temperature

Learn how to choose baby sleep layers using current safe-sleep guidance, your baby's chest cues, and product labels—without relying on one room-temperature number.

What Helps a Baby Adjust When Bedtime Shifts Later Than Usual?

What Helps a Baby Adjust When Bedtime Shifts Later Than Usual?

A later-than-usual bedtime does not have to derail a baby’s sleep. Learn how to preserve familiar cues, handle overtiredness, reset gently, and keep sleep safe.

Why Teething Symptoms Can Start Weeks Before a Tooth Appears

Why Teething Symptoms Can Start Weeks Before a Tooth Appears

Teething discomfort can begin before a tooth breaks through, but symptoms are not a reliable countdown. Learn what is typical and when to call a clinician.

How to Tell Whether Your Baby Is Ready to Drop a Nap

How to Tell Whether Your Baby Is Ready to Drop a Nap

Learn how to tell a true nap transition from a temporary nap strike, protect enough total sleep, try a schedule change safely, and know when to ask a pediatrician.

Why Does a Baby Wake 30 Minutes Into Every Nap?

Why Does a Baby Wake 30 Minutes Into Every Nap?

A baby waking after 30 minutes may be reaching a lighter stage of sleep, reacting to timing or discomfort, or simply taking a short nap. Learn what to observe, what to try safely, and when to call your pediatrician.

How to Serve Finger Foods Safely When Your Baby Has Few Teeth

How to Serve Finger Foods Safely When Your Baby Has Few Teeth

Few teeth do not rule out finger foods. Learn how to choose soft textures, cut foods safely, supervise meals, and recognize choking warning signs.

How to Encourage Tummy Time When Your Baby Cries: Gentle Options That Work

How to Encourage Tummy Time When Your Baby Cries: Gentle Options That Work

Compare gentle tummy-time positions, timing, and support options for a baby who cries right away, with clear supervision and sleep-safety guidance.

Why Would a Baby Suddenly Reject a Familiar Solid Food?

Why Would a Baby Suddenly Reject a Familiar Solid Food?

A baby may refuse a familiar solid food because of fullness, timing, texture, teething, or illness. Learn gentle next steps and when to call a pediatrician.

How to Introduce a Bottle When a Breastfed Baby Refuses It

How to Introduce a Bottle When a Breastfed Baby Refuses It

A practical guide to bottle refusal in breastfed babies: compare timing, caregiver, nipple flow, milk temperature, paced feeding, and when to get help.

How Two Caregivers Can Follow the Same Baby Sleep Routine

How Two Caregivers Can Follow the Same Baby Sleep Routine

Help two caregivers share a calm, flexible baby sleep routine with a clear handoff, age-aware steps, and the same safe-sleep finish.